Williams: Legislature Must Return to Common Sense Principles

HARTFORD — Inaction and more handwringing over Connecticut’s budget problems must give way to decisive action and common sense financial principles that will reignite the state’s stagnant economy and job market, Rep. Sean Williams said today.

Aimed at focusing his efforts on just that, Williams settled inside the House chamber mid-morning for the start of a legislative session that will run through the beginning May. He intends on pushing legislation will not only zap Connecticut’s massive shortfalls, but also provide lasting solutions to structural problems within the state’s budget architecture.

“It’s time we got back to basics,” said Williams, serving his third term in the legislature. “For starters, government can’t spend more money than it takes in.”

Gov. M. Jodi Rell addressed state senators and representatives in the House chamber, outlining her fiscal initiatives for the next year. Williams agreed with her message to the legislature: Increasing taxes and fees isn’t the way to fix Connecticut’s ailing economy.

What’s more, Williams gave a nod to her goal of providing mandate relief to cities and towns — rolling back costly steps the state forces municipalities to take without providing the financial support to get them done. He agreed with her call for leaner government, too.

Williams has been a vocal proponent of eliminating Connecticut’s multi-million dollar deficits through proposals that would see consolidation of state agencies and programs that either produce poor results or offer duplicative services, among other cost-cutting solutions.

“Thousands of people are without jobs in this state — that’s thousands of people hunkered down and struggling to provide for their families,” Williams said. “It’s time we got those people working again, but it’s going to require tough budgetary decisions.”

“I’m up to that challenge, and I’m certainly willing to work with anybody who’s ready to inject a dose of common sense into a legislature that sorely needs it,” he said.